ABSTRACT
The British wanted to increase their illicit trade with the Spanish colonies, while the Spanish Crown had ordered its governors in America to prevent it. Garaicoechea was probably the most daring of the Spanish privateers in America. The traditional English bias in favour of the Royal Navy has preserved certain myths about English leadership in America. Admiral Edward Vernon has received his share of kudos and generally been absolved of blame in the failures. The Spanish situation in America continued to be unsatisfactory throughout most of 1740. The shift in theatres allowed the Spanish government to concentrate on its other interests in America. Vernon captured and neutralized that port in early December, 1739, an action uncritically hailed by the British populace as a major achievement. Admiral Vernon was the most forceful personality in the English expedition and he only reluctantly acceded to Jamaican Governor Edward Trelawney's favourite project, the seizure of Panama.
